A fifth candidate for outgoing Sen. Barbara Boxer’s seat has joined the U.S. Senate debate that will take place at University of the Pacific on Monday, April 25.

Republican Ron Unz will participate in the debate, to be televised live from 6 to 7:30 p.m. He will join former state Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez and former California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim, who previously agreed to the debate.

The event is cosponsored by University of the Pacific, the San Francisco Chronicle and KCRA 3. The Port of Stockton, AT&T and PAQ, Inc. are helping to underwrite the costs of hosting the debate.

Pacific students are concerned about student loan debt, health care access, prison reform, economic mobility, water policy, climate change and immigration, among other pressing issues – and one Pacific student will have the opportunity to ask a question of the candidates during the live debate.

“At Pacific, we are passionate about giving students opportunities to learn firsthand, through real-life experiences, and believe that civic engagement is a key to student success,” said Pamela A. Eibeck, president of University of the Pacific. “This debate provides a golden opportunity for our students to strengthen their civic engagement by learning about and participating in a race that has profound implications for California and its future. It is exciting to see the enthusiasm and engagement the debate is generating on our campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco, and in the surrounding communities.”

Seats to the live debate, to be held at the DeRosa University Center on Pacific’s Stockton campus, are limited. But students, faculty and others will have multiple opportunities to participate. Watch parties are planned at Pacific’s three campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco, and the debate will be streamed live at pacific.edu/debate and on KCRA.com.

“KCRA 3 and Hearst Television have a long history of meaningful political coverage and our ongoing Commitment 2016 election initiative is a great example of that,” said KCRA 3 President and General Manager Elliott Troshinsky. “The U.S. Senate debate is another opportunity for us to fulfill our promise to bring viewers the most complete political coverage. I am proud that we were able to give Californians a firsthand look at our candidates and how they feel about important issues in our state.”

The debate will be hosted by KCRA 3 Anchor Gulstan Dart. Moderators will include KCRA 3 Anchor Edie Lambert and San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Page Editor John Diaz.

“One of The Chronicle’s most important roles is to promote and enhance civic discussion about the issues in our state,” said Chronicle Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper. “The world – and California – has changed significantly since this Senate seat was last open, and it is a critical time for the balance of power in Congress. We’re looking forward to bringing these candidates together so that California voters can make informed decisions in this high profile race.”

A post-debate show, hosted by KCRA 3 Anchors Kellie DeMarco and Gulstan Dart will air from 7:30-8 p.m. to recap and analyze the candidates’ answers.

About KCRA 3KCRA 3, a Hearst Television station, went on the air September 3, 1955. It was the first television station in the Sacramento Valley capable of color transmission, use of videotape and the first to broadcast in HD. The station's involvement and dedication to responsible reporting is embodied in their slogan, "Where the News Comes First®." KCRA 3 is the recipient of multiple Emmy and Edward R Murrow awards. KCRA 3’s website address is www.kcra.com.

About The San Francisco ChronicleThe San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfchronicle.com) is the largest newspaper in Northern California and the second largest on the West Coast. Acquired by Hearst Corporation in 2000, The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 by Charles and Michael de Young and has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes for journalistic excellence. With name-brand voices and a keen editorial eye, the Chronicle is an authority that still surprises. Follow them on Twitter @SFChronicle.

About University of the PacificEstablished in 1851 as the first chartered institution of higher education in California, University of the Pacific prepares students for professional and personal success through rigorous academics, small classes, and a supportive and engaging culture. Widely recognized as one of the most beautiful private university campuses in the West, the Stockton Campus offers more than 80 majors in seven schools. The university’s distinctive Northern California footprint also includes its San Francisco Campus, home to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and new graduate programs in health, food and technology fields, and the Sacramento Campus, home to the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and new graduate programs in health, education, business and public policy. For more information, visit www.pacific.edu.